PENANG’S long wait for a medal in the Sukma (Malaysia Games) shooting event since 2014 finally ended with a gold and a bronze medal in the women’s individual and team 10m air rifle at the Subang Shooting Range today.
Against great odds, Shaveena Mei Vejayan of Penang outgunned fellow national teammate Nur Izazi Rosli from Federal Territory (KL) in the women’s individual 10m air rifle for the gold medal.
To make it a more remarkable day for Penang, its gymnasts clinched two more gold medals today after Zarith Imaan Khalid had won the individual gold medal in the floor exercise, balance beam, uneven bar and vault yesterday.
There was no doubt Shaveena, 20, was on cloud nine today after beating hot favourite and defending champion Nur Izazi in the women’s individual 100m air rifle event.
Shaveena chalked 243.70 points, ahead of her rivals from KL (243.50) and Perak (219.20).
“This is my second Sukma and my last Sukma as well. I did not win any medals in the Perak Sukma in 2018. Nur Izazi took the gold medal. It is a sweet moment for me to end my Sukma outing with a gold medal.
“My coaches and parents are instrumental to my success and I sincerely would like to express my gratitude to them.
“I did not expect myself to win as I just did my best,” said Shaveena, who stays in Tanjung Bungah, Penang.
On how she picked up shooting, Shaveena said she frequented the Botanic Gardens when she was small to jog.
“I liked running and when I went to the park to jog, I saw a shooting club near the gardens.
“The loud noise at the range piqued my interest. Since then, it has sparked my interest to get involved in the game and carry a rifle.
“My parents were initially reluctant to let me try my hand at shooting, but they have since accepted it after knowing more about the sport,” she recalled.
Looking forward, Shaveena said she would be eyeing a spot for the SEA Games in Cambodia next year.
On top of the individual gold medal, Shaveena teamed up with two other promising shooters Nur Maisarah Dzulkifli and Nur Sumayyah Dzulkifli to secure the bronze medal in the women’s 10m rifle team event.
They finished third (1,831.81) behind Negeri Sembilan (1,843.90) and Perak (1,838.30).
“We’ve been waiting for this for a long time. The girls’ hard work and perseverance paid off. I’m glad about their performance. This is Shaveena’s second appearance in Sukma but the first time for Nur Maisarah and Nur Sumayyah,” said Penang state rifle shooting coach Faizah Abd Aziz.
Over at the National Sports Council (NSC) gymnasium, the Penang gymnasts shone in the men’s artistic gymnastics (MAG) all-round individual and team event to bag two golds.
In the all-round individual event, Ng Chun Chen scored 77.850 points to beat Muhammad Sharul Aimy Mohd Kamaru Hisam from Terengganu and Luqman Al Hafiz Zulfa from Perak to second and third places respectively.
Chun Chen went on to add another gold to his collection in the team event. The other gymnasts in the six-member team were Anson Tan, Liew Kai Jack, Muhammad Ammar Anuar Mustafa, Teoh Chuen Feng and Wilson Yeoh.
At Bukit Jalil Stadium, heptathlete Koh Ann Yi and walker Sriven Tan contributed a silver medal each for Penang.
Sriven, who won the 10km walk on Sept 16, managed to finish second in the 20km walk today.
Over to the bowling event in Sunway Pyramid, Muhammad Hariz Adlan Azman, 19, secured a bronze for the Penang in the men’s singles.
“I am expecting a gold today, but my dream did not come true. However, it is still a joy for me as this is the first time I have managed to get a medal in the men’s singles event.
“I got two bronze medals in the team’s event during the previous Sukma in Perak,” he said.
He hopes to strike form in the men’s trio event tomorrow.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhamad